REAL MADRID C.F
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spanish pronunciation: [reˈal maˈðɾið ˈkluβ ðe ˈfuðβol]; Royal Madrid Football Club), commonly known asReal Madrid, or simply as Real, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain.
Founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the team has traditionally worn a white home kit since inception. The word Real is Spanish forRoyal and was bestowed to the club by King Alfonso XIII in 1920 together with the royal crown in the emblem. The team has played its home matches in the 85,454-capacity Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in downtown Madrid since 1947. Unlike most European sporting entities, Real Madrid's members (socios) have owned and operated the club throughout its history.
The club is the most valuable sports team in the world, worth €2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) and the world's highest-earning football club for 2013–14, with an annual revenue of €549.5 million. The club is one of the most widely supported teams in the world. Real Madrid is one of three founding members of the Primera División that have never been relegated from the top division, along with Athletic Bilbaoand Barcelona. The club holds many long-standing rivalries, most notably El Clásico with Barcelona and the El Derbi madrileño withAtlético Madrid.
Real Madrid established itself as a major force in both Spanish and European football during the 1950s. The club won five consecutiveEuropean Cups, and reached the final seven times. This success was replicated in the league, where the club won five times in the space of seven years. This team, which consisted of players such as Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Gento, Raymond Kopa, andSantamaría, is considered by some in the sport to be the greatest team of all time.
In domestic football, the club has won a record 32 La Liga titles, 19 Copa del Rey, 9 Supercopa de España, 1 Copa Eva Duarte, and 1Copa de la Liga.In international football, the club has won a record 10 European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles and a joint record 3 Intercontinental Cups, as well as 2 UEFA Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Real Madrid was recognised as the FIFA Club of the 20th Century on 23 December 2000, and named Best European Club of the 20th Century by the IFFHS on 11 May 2010. The club received the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004. The club is ranked first in the latest IFFHS Club World Ranking, setting a new ranking-points record.The club also leads the current UEFA club rankings.
Honours
Real Madrid has won a record 32 La Liga, a record ten European Cup/UEFA Champions League and a shared record three Intercontinental Cup trophies. The club was awarded with the recognition of "FIFA Club of the 20th Century" on 23 December 2000, and named "Best European Club of the 20th Century" by the IFFHS in London on 11 May 2010.It also received the FIFA Order of Merit in 2004. Added to this, Real is allowed to wear a multiple–winner badge on their shirt during UEFA Champions League matches as they have won more than five European Cups.
Domestic competitions
La LigaWinners (32) – record: 1931–32, 1932–33, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12
Copa del ReyWinners (19): 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1917, 1934, 1936, 1946, 1947, 1961–62, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1988–89, 1992–93, 2010–11, 2013–14
Supercopa de EspañaWinners (9): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012
Copa Eva Duarte (the forerunner to the Supercopa de España)Winners: 1947
Copa de la LigaWinners: 1984–85
European competitions
European Cup / UEFA Champions LeagueWinners (10) – record: 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2013–14
UEFA CupWinners: 1984–85, 1985–86
UEFA Super Cup[Winners: 2002, 2014
Worldwide competitions
Intercontinental CupWinners – shared record: 1960, 1998, 2002
Copa IberoamericanaWinners – record: 1994
FIFA Club World CupWinners: 2014
REAL MADRID C.F BEST PLAYER
10. Santillana (1971-1988)
Position: Forward
Games Played: 645
Goals Scored: 290
With 290 goals in 645 games, Santillana is a goalscoring legend for Real Madrid. Most known for his incredible leap and heading prowess, he is also famed for his legendary partnership with the comeback king Juanito. Arriving at the Bernabeu at the mere age of 19, Santillana would go on to win 9 La Liga titles, 4 Spanish Cups, 1 League Cup, and 2 UEFA cups. He retired with only Di Stéfano having scored more than him.
9. Emilio Butragueño (1982-1995)
Position: Second Forward
Games Played: 463
Goals Scored: 171
"The Vulture" was one of the most entertaining talents in European footballing history. His famed trickery and ball control was mind-blowing, and in an age where size ruled, he blew past big defenders with ease. Aside from his incredible technical skills and improvisational abilities, he also possessed a lethal touch. Not often the main striker in the squad, he still managed to win the Pichichi trophy and amass more than 150 goals. He also led the famous "Quinta del Buitre" (The Vulture Squadron), which was one of Madrid’s greatest generations of footballers. They consisted of the likes of Míchel, Manolo Sanchís, Martin Vázquez, and Pardeza and helped Butragueño win a truly ridiculous haul of 15 trophies.
8. Raúl (1992-2010)
Position: Forward
Games Played: 741
Goals Scored: 323
Coming in at number 8, we have one of the most lethal strikers of all time. Ironically starting his youth career off at Atletico Madrid, Raúl quickly showed his golden touch with 13 goals in 7 games for the 1992/1993 youth team. This caught the eye of Jorge Valdano, who then fast-tracked Raúl to the first team. From there on, Raúl only achieved greatness. He went on to win 6 La Liga titles and an incredible 3 Champions Cups, all the while being Madrid’s captain and top goalscorer. Aside from his obvious instincts, Raúl also possessed an underrated amount of flair and work ethic. While he may not have the same technical abilities as others on this list, he fully deserves his place in the pantheon of Real Madrid legends for his unbelievable eye for goal.
7. Hugo Sánchez (1985-1992)
Position: Forward
Games Played: 282
Goals Scored: 208
With an eye-popping goalscoring record, Hugo Sánchez flies into this list at number 7. Like the ones before him, the Mexican possessed an incredibly keen sense of where the back of the net was, and managed to pick up 4 Pichichi trophies (3 of them in a row with Madrid). While this gives you the image of a cold blooded killer that hounds the six yard box, Hugo Sánchez was actually more well known as a flair player. He is probably one of the greatest proponents of the bicycle kick (the chilena as it was called) in footballing history and his vigorous goalscoring celebrations were almost as good as the goals he scored (remind you of someone?). When Hugo Sánchez scored a bicycle kick against Logrones, the then Madrid coach Leo Beenhakker remarked, "when a player scores a goal like that, play should be suspended and a glass of champagne offered to the 80,000 fans that witnessed it." In addition to this, he was also a free kick specialist and used to score diving headers from improbable angles. So basically he was Cristiano Ronaldo 1.0.
6. Iker Casillas (1999-2015)
Position: Goalkeeper
Games Played: 725
Real Madrid’s official website calls him "the best goalkeeper in our history", and it’s hard to disagree with them. Not only did St. Iker possess lightning reflexes and a one-on-one ability second to none, but he also had the humility, composure, and leadership qualities that have made him Madrid’s best ever captain. The number of trophies he has lifted is too large to count and needs no re-telling. While his spat with Mourinho and his unceremonious departure may weigh on some minds, I think every Madrid fan has a special place in our heart for The Saint.
5. Zinedine Zidane (2001-2006)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Games Played: 227
Goals Scored: 49
Genius. Magician. Mercurial. These are just some of the words one thinks of when hearing the name Zidane. In fact, one might even say that putting Zidane in the same sentence as those words is a compliment to those adjectives! Such brilliance is not an exaggeration, and he is easily one of world football’s most technically gifted players of all time. He was an absolute delight to watch, as he possessed the world’s best first touch and an uncanny ability to execute "roulettes" (which he popularized). His artistry on the pitch was not just for mere show however, as he scored a brilliant volleyed goal against Bayer Leverkusen to win Real Madrid "La Novena". Now working for Madrid’s Castilla side as a coach, many dream of the day when the French genius can step up and take charge of the first team.
4. Francisco Gento (1953-1971)
Position: Left-Winger
Games Played: 602
Goals Scored: 182
Explaining why Gento is on this list really takes only 1 number and two words: 6 European Cups. On the other hand, explaining his brilliance would probably take a whole book. It think it's best to stick to one paragraph.
Francisco Gento is in the debate for being one of the best left-wingers of all time. He had the pace to rival the modern day Ronaldos and Bales, the dribbling ability to put Messi to shame (or so it is claimed), and a crossing accuracy that would make David Beckham’s jaw drop. Known as the "Storm of the Cantabrian", Gento played alongside the likes of Di Stéfano, Raymond Kopa, and Ferenc Puskas to make Real Madrid the greatest team in the 20th century history.
3. Ferenc Puskas (1958-1967)
Position: Forward
Games Played: 262
Goals Scored: 242
Arriving as an old (he was 31 years of age when signed) and overweight man from Honved Budapest, fans did not expect great things from the Hungarian. Oh how wrong they were. Not only did he amass one of the greatest goal to game ratios in footballing history, but he also led Madrid to 5 La Ligas and 3 European Cups. His extraordinary eye for goal and ability on the ball has made him a legend for anyone who knows an ounce of Madrid’s history, but he remains strangely an unknown to anyone not a fan of The Whites. While he probably deserves to be talked about in the same breath as Pele and Maradona, he will have to do with being considered as one of the best players in Madrid's history.
2. Alfredo Di Stéfano (1953-1964)
Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder
Games Played: 396
Goals Scored: 308
For some, the greatest player in Madrid’s history, Alfredo Di Stéfano is the player most responsible for establishing Los Blancos’s connection with the Champions League. Aside from his obvious goalscoring ability and his tendency to score in big games (scored 1 or more goals in every single European Cup Final), what goes most unnoticed is his versatility. Capable of playing in attack, midfield, and defense, Di Stéfano adjusted to whatever his team needed him to be and was the man that made his side tick. He ended his illustrious career with 2 Ballon d’ors, 5 European Cups, and 8 La Liga titles. There will never again be a player like this man and the deserves to be known as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (2009-Present)
Position: Wide Forward
Games Played: 308
Goals Scored: 323/324
While Ronaldo may not have the sheer number of team accolades as those ranked below him, it is his sheer desire to win, incredible individual ability, and unparalleled goalscoring record (in a time when Madrid were being dominated by Barcelona), that sets apart. Signed for a then world record 80 million pounds from Manchester United, few could have guessed the monumental impact that he would have. To put it simply, when Ronaldo arrived, Madrid were in shambles. They had failed to be relevant in Europe to the point of embarrassment and had just relinquished the La Liga title to their rivals in Cataluña. With absolutely no stability in teammates and managers (fueled by Florentino Perez’s galactico policy, the tenure of four very different managers, and Mourinho’s antics), Ronaldo went on to put up the most ridiculously consistent numbers in Los Blancos’s history-whilst simultaneously winning titles and keeping us competitive with Barcelona. This oneconstant (in Ronaldo) has given Madrid a platform to succeed again and has given fans a sense of expectation that would have been unrealistic before he arrived (something grossly underappreciated by fans). It is not an overstatement to say that Ronaldo has made Los Blancos relevant again. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Real Madrid’s greatest ever player: Cristiano Ronaldo.
REAL MADRID CF SONG
Spanish Lyrics
Historia que tu hiciste
Historia por hacer
Porque nadie resiste
Tus ganas de vencer
Ya salen las estrellas
Mi viejo Chamartin
De lejos y de cerca
Nos traes hasta aquí
Llevo tu camiseta
Pegada al corazón
Los días que tu juegas
Son todo lo que soy
Ya corre la saeta
Ya ataca mi Madrid
Soy lucha soy belleza
El grito que aprendi
Madrid Madrid Madrid
¡Hala madrid!
Y nada más
Y nada más
¡Hala madrid
english
The History you've made
the History yet to be made
Because no one can resist
your willingness to win!
The stars are now coming out!
My old Chamartín... (1)
From far away and from nearby
you gather us all here!
I wear your shirt
tight, right next to my heart!
The days you play
are everything I am!
"The Arrow" is running! (2)
My Madrid is attacking!
I am struggle! I am beauty!
The cry I learned:
Madrid! Madrid! Madrid!
Hala Madrid! (3)
And nothing more! And nothing more!
Hala Madrid!
the History yet to be made
Because no one can resist
your willingness to win!
The stars are now coming out!
My old Chamartín... (1)
From far away and from nearby
you gather us all here!
I wear your shirt
tight, right next to my heart!
The days you play
are everything I am!
"The Arrow" is running! (2)
My Madrid is attacking!
I am struggle! I am beauty!
The cry I learned:
Madrid! Madrid! Madrid!
Hala Madrid! (3)
And nothing more! And nothing more!
Hala Madrid!
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